Mechanical refrigerating system



Feb. 23, 1932. s; M. MARTIN 1,845,062

MECHANICAL REFRIGERATING SYSTEM 1/ Filed Oct. 5, 1928 ijiqtl. I I f anon V60;

6M. M5 aw uuvmw Patented Feb. 23, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STEPHEN M. MARTIN, OF BRIDGEPURT, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, T0 JULIUS F. HOLMES, OF NEW YORK, IN: Y.

MECHANICAL REFRIGERATING SYSTEM Application filed October 5, 1928. Serial No. 310,506.

This invention relates to refrigerating systems, and more particularly to mechanical refrigerating systems in which the circulation of the refrigerant is maintained by a power-driven pump or compressor.

The object of the invention generally is to provide an improved construction and arrangement of parts, in a system of the character specified, which is efficient, economical and readily manufactured.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a system of the so-called flooded variety in which the elemental organs are so arranged as to function with an improved characteristic and certainty and which are also adapted for economical construction and assembly.

A further object is to provide a flooded system having the condenser and float chamber disposed closely adjacent so as to effect both thermodynamic and manufacturing economies.

Another object is to provide a flooded system having a receiving chamber with improved inlet and outlet connections.

Still another object is to provide a mechanical refrigerating system in which the principle of unit assembly in manufacturing may be applied with the use of a minimum of parts.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in the constructions hereinafter set forth and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should he had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a vertical sectional view along the axis of a motor-pump unit for a mechanical refrigerating system having a combined condenser and float chamber attached in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary end view, partly chamber; and r Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectiona view showing details in the connections of the receiving chamber.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to Fig. 1, 10 denotes a hermeticallysealed casing which houses a pump or compressor 11 and a motor 12 for driving the same, the casing being supported by legs 13 and 13 so the motor-pump unit may be removed. The motor-pump casing has attached thereto a condenser l iby any suitable means, for example, by means of the rods 14, below which condenser is supported a chambered casing 15 for receiving and storing cooled refrigerant and for housing the means which controls the flow of refrigerant to an evaporating unit (not shown).

Associated with the condenser on the motor-pump unit is a fan 16 and another motor 17 for driving the same, the condenser being arranged to be cooled by the fan and to receive compressed refrigerant directly from the pump 11 through an inlet connection 18, these parts being assembled on and supported by the motor-pump unit so that the motor and the pump, together with the condenser and float chamber, comprise a single constructional unit that may be integrally inserted or removed from .a refrigerating sys tem.

The condenser 14, being of the air-cooled variety, has a plurality ofv vertically-disposed radiating fins 20 disposed across the convolutions of the conduit comprising the condenser. From the arrangement shown, it is seen that the top convolutions comprise the inlet of the condenser to which the connection 18 leads. The fins 20 serve not only as a means for increasing the cooling efl'ect on the condenser, but also as a frame which holds the parts in place. To the lower ends of the outside fins there is secured brackets 21 which serve as supporting means for the chamber 15. As shown in Fig. 2, the lower convolution of the conduit of the condenser is bent around at 22 and enters one end of the chamber 15 to supply cooled refrigerant thereto. At the other end of this chamber there is an outlet orifice 23 which discharges into the conduit 24 adapted to lead to the evaporator or chilling unit of the system. (Jo-operating with the orifice 23 is a valve member 25 which is sup-- The valve member 25 is thusadapted to be float-actuated by the liquid level within the chamber 15, the liquid level being maintained by the pressure differential between that in the chamber and that in the evaporator. The evaporator is thus supplied by refrig- 2o erant under a relatively constant head of pressure the refrigerant ex anding in the evaporator which sequence of steps in the operation of the system characterize the system as a so-called flooded type. 4

From the arrangement shown, it is seen that the chamber 15 serves as a receptacle to receive the refrigerant cooledin a condenser as it flows partly under the influence of gravity and partly under the influence of pressure from the lower convolution of the condenser into the chamber 15. By reason also of the arrangement shown, it is seen that the connections for supplying refrigerant from the condenser to the float chamber are very short. This has advantages, since that portion of the refrigerant circuit from the pump to the float valve is generally styled the-high side and it is desirable to keep the lower end of the high side of the circuit at as low a temperature as possible until the refrigerant passes the float valve. By locating the'chamber 15 thus below the condenser, it is seen that the connections thereto are shortened and the temperatures to and through the float chamber are in consequence relatively low.

It is also seen from the arrangement employed that when the float chamber 15 is supported from the condenser, which in turn is supported upon the motor-pump unit, that a portable and removable device containing three of the elemental organs of ame chanical refrigerating system is provided in the form of an integral assembly unit. This'is convenient from the standpoint of assembly, since the other elemental organ, namely, the evaporator, can thus be placed in the refrigerating chamber of a refrigerator, and.

the remaining elemental organs supplied as a single unit. This also has advantages when servicing the system, since'these parts can thus be removed and repaired with one removal operation. i

In Fig. 2 the inlet connection for the refrigerant receiver is shown as provided with a strainer 33. This strainer, while preferred, is by no means necessary to the practice of the invention and is so disposed'that it intercepts particles of grit, scale and the like which might otherwise interfere with the functioning of the float valve. Thus, only strained refrigerant leaves through the exit 24 to enter the line conduit '34 which is adapted to lead directly to the evaporator. The removable head or closure 31 may also be provided with a vent passage as shown more clearly at 35 in Fig. 3, this passage being normally closed by a vent valve 36.

Since certain changes may be made in the above construction and different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in. a limiting sense.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

' 1. In a refrigerating system, the combination comprising a pump adapted to compress refrigerant, a motor for driving the same, a casing hermetically sealing said motor and pump, a condenser having convolutions adapted to be traversed by compressed refrigerant from said pump and provided with heat-radiating fins, a refrigerant receivlng and storing chamber secured to said fins and disposed immediately below said condenser.

2. In a refrigerating system, the combination comprising a pump adapted to compress I refrigerant, a; motor for driving the same, a casing hermetically sealing said motor and pump, a condenser having convolutions adapted to be traversed by compressed refrigerant from said pump and provided with air-cooled fins, a'refrigerant receiving and storing chamber secured to said fins and disposed immediately below said condenser, said chamber having an inlet from said condenser at one end and a wall having an outlet orifice at the other end.

3. In a refrigerating system, the combination comprising a pump adapted to compress refrigerant, a motor for driving the same, a casing hermetically sealin said motor and pump, a condenser having convolutions adapted to be traversed by compressed refrigerant from said pump and provided with heat-radiating fins, a refrigerant receivin and storing chamber secured to said fins an disposed immediately below said condenser,

said chamber having an inlet fromsaid con-,

pump, a condenser having convolutions adapted to be traversed by compressed refrigerant from said pump and provided with heat-radiating fins, a refrigerant receiving and storing chamber secured to said fins and disposed immediately below said condenser, said chamber having an inlet from said condenser at one end and a removable wall having an outlet orifice at the other end, a bracket on said removable wall, a valve member in said bracket and disposed so as to control said orifice, and a float pivoted to said bracket and adapted to actuate said valve member.

5. In a refrigerating system, the combination comprising a pump adapted to compress refrigerant, a motor for driving the same, a casing hermetically sea-ling said motor and pump, a condenser having convolutions adapted to be traversed by compressed refrigerant from said pump and provided with heat-radiating fins, a refrigerant receiving and storing chamber secured to said fins and disposed below said condenser, said chamber having an inlet connection from said condenser passing through a wall thereof and outlet connections provided with a strainer.

6. In a refrigerating system, the combination comprising a pump adapted to compress refrigerant, a motor for driving the same, a casing hermetically sealing said motor and pump, a condenser having convolutions adapted to be traversed by compressed refrigerant from said pump and provided with heat-radiating fins, a refrigerant receiving and storing chamber secured to said fins and disposed below said condenser, said chamber having a removable wall provided with a float-controlled outlet, and a strainer in said outlet for removing solid particles in 0 the refrigerant passing outwardly.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

STEPHEN M. MARTIN. 

